Cotton-picker.



'I'. E; STRAUS.

COTTON PICKER.

PPLIOATION FILED 00T. 2. 19712;

'l'. E. STRAUS.

@oT-TGN HGKER.

APPLICATION lLBD OCT. 2. 1912.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

T. E. STRAUS.

COTTON PICKER.

APPLIUATION FILED OCT. 2. 1912, L 1233,62@ )Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

'5 SHEETS-SHEET s.

Ti E. STRAUS.

COTTON PICKER.

APPLIGATION rILB'D 00T. 2. 1912.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

BT i` 5 SHEETS-SHE T. E. STRAUS.

COTTON FGKER. APPLICATION FILED ooT.z,1s12.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

(T11 1y w41 for,

THEODORE E. STRAUS, oF BALTIMORE,

n. assioma 'no WoRTHINGToN cor- TON HARVESTER COMPANY, OF BALTIMORE,`MARYLAND, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE.

common-Pickett.

Speciiication of Letters Patent.

Patented aan. 5, 1915..

Application filed October 2, 1912. Serial N o. 723,518.

T 0 all whom it may concern.'

f Be it known that I, THEoDonn E. STRAUS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at l0 South street, Baltimore, State of Maryland, haveinvented certain new anduseful Improvements in Cotton-Pickers, of Which.the following is a description, reference 'being had to theaccompanying drawing iii-cotton 'picker which is of few parts and' lightAin weight so that it may be readily inovel about the cotton field, andwherein a plurality of picking nozzles may be simultmieously used forpicking the cotton.

A. further object of thev invention is to provide a cotton Wicker of theabove char-f acter with devices forcounter-balancing or carrying theweight oftheiiexible conveying pipe and the operating shaft for themechanical pickers; whereby tho weight of these parts is removed fromthe picker, so that the nozzle may be readily raised and lowered andshit-ted to all parts of' the cotton plant without any special exertionon the part of the pickel'.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cottom-,picker ofv theabove character' with a separate conveyor pipe for each` nozzle. whichconveyei.' pipe is formed of suitable rigid sections having the properlioints to allow a free movement vertically, and wherein the fiexiblcpipe is also provided with suitable joints,whereby the picking nozzlemay be turned easily about its longitudinal axis, and whereby saidnozzle may be readily shifted from one part of the plant to another. e

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cotton picker ofthe above character with suitable means for distributing the cotton inthe hamper or storage receptacle, as it leaves the'conveyer pipe.

These and other objects will in part be obvious andv will in partbehereinafter more fully disclosed.

'in the drawings. whichshow by way of illustration, one embodiment ofthe invention, Figure 1 is a side view of a cotton picker embodying myimprovements; Fig.

y2 is a front view of the same; Fig.- 3 is a plan view of vthe' same,the rigid conveyor pipe being swung to substantially vertical positionand sectioned; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in longitudinal section,showing the connection between the parts of the flexible hose or pipe;Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail showing the coupling for connecting theflexible hose to the movable rigid conveyer pipe, and the bracket forsupporting the driving shaft for the mechanical picking fingers; Fig. 6is a longitudinal sectional view through the flexible pipe and theinflexible pipe, and showing the connection between the two; Fig. 7 is aperspective view of the supporting bracket for the rigid conveyer pipe,also showing in separated view some of the parts supported by thebracket; Fig. 8 is a face view showing the manner of' joining the partsof the coupling between the flexible hose or pipe and the rigid pipe;Fig. 9 is a plan view of the distributor for distributing the cotton inthe storage receptacle; Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of thesame; Fig. ll' is an end view of thc distributer from the receiving endthereof; and Fig. 12 is a detail showing the distributing bars insection.

My improved cotton picker consists generally of a supporting vehicle onwhich is mounted a suction device and a motor or engine for driving thesame. This suction device delivers into the storage receptacles, andsuitable means is provided for distribut'ing the cotton in thereceptacles after it leaves the suction passage, which means is also soconstructed as to separate sand and other small heavy particles from thecotton. A number of conveyer pipes which are formed of light metal arepivotally supported by thc supporting vehicle and are coluiter-lmlanccdbv suitable weights. A. spring is attached to each one of these pipes sothat they are normally heldin raised position. lilach pipe is connectedby a separate flexible hose to the su nrion device. Each pipo alsosupports at its outer end a flexible hose which is connected to thepicking nozzle. The niecianical picking devices of the nozzle are drivenby a flexible shaft, Which is also supported to the outer. end of themetal conveycr pipe. and driven by Suitable 1/ Suspended from thesupporting frame 1 is a carrying fram(I 4, on which is mounted a motor5, which may be of any desired character, but preferably of'the gasengine type. The main supporting frame 1' is preferably raisedsuihciently from ground sovthat it will pass readily over the cottonplants. The wheels are also spaced so as to pass between the rows of thecotton plant, while the suspended frame 4 carrying thezmotor is' locatedcentrally of the main frame, and-will passbetwe'en two rows of tatingfan type.

cotton plants. T'lhe vehicle is drawn in the usual way.

lSupported on the main frame 1 is a suction device 6, which ispreferably of the ro- This suction device is connected to a receivingpipe 7, into which the vcotton is ldelivered by the suction device.

The receiving piper? extends upwardly from Cil the frame, and is bentbackwardly, so as to over-hang the same. Saidyreceiving pipe 1svprovided with a cross pipe 8, which leads to eachside of thereceivingfpipe, and extends preferably transversely of the vehicle. Thecotton is delivered from the receiving pipe into the branch cross pipeat either side thereof, said cross pipe being formed with suitablevalves 9 and 10 respectively, which I.control the delivery of thecotton. The cotizo ton passes from the cross pipe into a 'suits I ablestorage receptacle 10a, and from the cross pipe 9 inte a suitablestorage receptacle 11.` As herein shown, the main frame is formed withsupporting standards 1.2, on

l'rotating suction. device.

which is mounted ay cross bar 13. The storage receptacle 10 is'in theform of a hamper, which is swung from this cross bar 13.

Likewise, the storage receptaclell is in the form of a hamper an'd swungfrom the same cross bar 13. The manner of distributing the cotton in thehampers will be referred to more4 in detail hereinafter.

The suction device 6 is driven from the ymotor 5' by 'a belt 14, whichengages a' belt wheel on the mainshaftof the motor, andalso a beltlwheel on themain shaft ofthe Mounted oni' the .mamj frame 1y is a fixedcross shaftolisupport- 15. This cross shaft or Isupport is vcarried bybrackets 1G and 17 atfitsmiter ends, which brackets are at?.v

ta'c'hed to the main frame' 1 of the supporting vehicle. Mounted toswing freely upon said fixed cross shaftv are a plurality of .I brackets18, each of which is -similar 1n conthe p struction, and each of whichsupport a conveyer pipe, and the operating mechanism for a pickingnozzle. The description of one of said brackets and the parts carriedthereby will answer for the others. The bracket 18 is shown in detail inFig. 7, and consists of a sleeve 19, which turns freely on the fixedshaft or support 15 between spaced collars 20 and 21. This bracket hasan outwardly extending arm provided with split collars 22 and A conveyerpipe 24, which is formed of'thin metal so. aste-provide a rigidoutwardly extending arm or Outrigger, extends through said splitcollars, 22 and 9? and is clamped rigidly therein by suitable bolts Thispipe is joined at its lower end to a flexible hose26 which leads to thepicking nozzle 28, see` Fig. 1. The coupling for connecting the pipe 24to the flexible hose 27 is formed s0 that the hose may turn freely in avertical plane relative to the metal pipe 24. As herein shown, saidcoupling consists of a sleeve 29, which is split and clamped to the endof the pipe 24 by suitable bolts passing 'throughl openings 0v formedthrough the sleeve for drawing the parts thereof t0- gether. (See Fig.6). This sleeve is bent laterally at its outer end and is formed with anannularflange 31, in which is cut an an nular groove 32 and recesses 83,which lead through the flange thereto.

A second sleeve 34 adapted to'enter the flexible hose 27 is also bentlaterally so that the passage from one sleeve 34 to the other sleeve 29is not in any way obstructed. This sleeve 34 is providedwith oppositelydisposed projecting lugs 35, which are adapted to enter the recesses 33.when brought into register. therewith, so that the lug may be passedthrough the flange into an annular groove 32. A thumb screw 36 carriedby 4the flange 31 may be moved into and lout of the path of the lug 35,soas to prevent said lug from registering with the recess 33, and thusthe two sleeves 29 and 34 will be held so that they may rotaterelativet0 each other in parallel planes. By this construction the flexible hose27 and the conveyer pipe 24 will be permitted yto move section nearestthe conveyer pipe 24 being,-

ofcourse, of 'larger diameter than the section connected to the nozzle.The two sections are joined together by a 'coupling 37,

flexible hose, and is formed with a V-Shaped lgroove 39 adjacent itsouter end. Said sleeve or collar 38 is referably made of hardened steeland may e suitably attached to an inner sleeve 40, which extends withinIthe smaller .section of hose and is'secured thereto by the' usualclamping collar 41.

' A. second sleeve 42 is inserted Within the upper orj larger sectionofA hose, and is clamped therein by the usual clamping collar 43. Thisupper sleeve 42 is also made of hardened steel and has an inner endbeveled inwardly, as at 44. The outer face of 4the sleeve 42 isthreaded, as at 45, soas to receive a collar 46, which-is also made ofhardened steel., ,and is )rovided with a beveled 1 shoulder 47. W en thecollar 46 is threaded on to the sleeve 42, the beveled shoulders 44 and47 form a V-shaped groove. This V-shaped groove, together with the V-shaped groove 39 in the sleeve 38 form a raceway fora series of balls48. It Will be apparent that when the parts are assembled, said ballswill serve to hold the two parts together, and yet permit one to rotateaxially relative to the other. The collar 46 is recessed at its lowerface, and within said recess is placed a suitable packing ring 49, whichis held therein by a washer 50 and suitable screws 51. This packing ringserves to piake an air tight joint. It should also be noted thatv apacking ring 52a is provided for the coupling, which joins the flexiblehose 27 to the conveyer pipe 24, so that the joint in said coupling isalso air tight.

'The mechanical picking lingers vare driven by a flexible shaft 52, (seeFigs. 1, 2 and 5'). This flexible shaft is connected to the nozzle atits lower end. While the upper end of the flexible shaft is connected toa driving wheel .53, supported by a bracket arm 54 mounted on thecoupling between the flexible hose 27 and the conveyer pipe 24. .Asshown in the drawings, the flange 31 of thesleeve 29 is extended andbent laterally so as to form the bracket The bracket 54 has a projectingbearing 55, in which a short shaft connected with the driving wheel 53rotates. shaft extends beyond its protecting covering and is coupled inIthe usual way with said short shaft.

A. thumb screw 56 carried by the bearing 55 may engage a groove 57 in acollar carried by the upper vend of a casing for the `iexible shaft. andhold the parts assembled.

The driving wheel 53 of the flexible shaft is operated, as hereinshown,`by a belt con- The flexible also runs over'idlers 64 so that thedirection of the movement may be changed. While Iv have shown anddescribed a belt connection. for, driving the main shaft, and also abelt connection for driving the pulleys which operate the flexibleshaft, it will, of course, be understood that any .other sort of drivingconnection may be utilized, and that the belts herein referred to arepurely for the purpose -of illustration.

As has already been noted, the metal conveyer pipe 24 is mounted on abracket which turns freely on the fixed shaft or support l). Each braczet `carrying a conveyer pipefis provided with an arm. 65, which isbolted to the collars 22 and 23, and said arm projects arni 6T, which islikewise secured to t e col-v lars 22 and 23.

.i spring 68 is attached at'one endto the ari-n 67. and at its other endto'the main frame. This spring normally tends to-'liit the outer end ofthe conveyer pipe 24 and the parts supported thereby. L suitable stopchain 24 may be provided for limiting the upward swing of this pipe 24.

From the above description'it will be apparent that I have provided acotton picker wherein a plurality of picking' nozzles are independentlyconnected with the suction device, and wherein the flexible hose and theflexible shaft for driving the mechancal fingers are supported by enoutwardly projecting conveyer' pipe, which is so proportioned andarranged as to permit a wide range of movement of the nozzle from onepart of the cotton plant to another. or along the row of cotton plants.and at the same time thc Weight of the flexible hose and 4the flexibleshaft, also the weight of the support-'ing conveyer pipe is socolmtcrbalanced and operated b v the spring attached thereto that saidconveyer pipe and flexible hose picker without any undue exertion .ofhis the picker, and the cotton removed therefrom by the mechanicalpicking fingers. The cotton will be conveyedl from the nozzle throughthe lflexible hose 27 and the conveyer pipe 24, and the flexible hoseconnecting the conveyer pipe Q4 to the suction device and forcedby thesuction device through the receiving pipe 7 to either one or the otherof the cross pipes 8, depending upon the position of the valvesv 9 and10. It will be apparent that the pickers operating the different nozzlesmay move along the row of cotton plants within l comparatively longrange without lrequiring a. shifting of the position of the entirevehicle, and for all positions along the row the lweight of theconveying parts for the cotton and the operating parts for themechanical pickers are practically all removed from the picker.

The means for distributing the cotton fiber in the hampers is shown indetail im Figs. 9 to 11. On each end of the cross pipe 8 is adistributer which is formed with an open delivering end 69, a closedbottom 70, and side walls 71i The sidewalls 71 are preferably taperedfrom the inner end to the outer end thereof. The bottom portion is alsopreferably wider than the diameter of the cross pipe 8.

A bar 72 is secured to the side walls 71, and projects over the same, asshown in Fig. l1; a second bar-73 is secured to the distributer adjacentits delivering end 69.

Mounted on the bars 72 and 73 are a plurah'ty of rods 74 which aresecured thereto by suitable screws. These rods are spaced from eachotheQ, and the spaces between the rods slightly increase from thereceiving end of the distributer end toward the delivery end thereof.The rods are also rectangular in cross section and arranged so that theadjacent walls are parallel. The

extreme outer ends of the rods are curved downwardly slightly, as at 475. The cross bar 73 between the rods is cut away on its inner' face, soas toform Aan inclined wall 76.

In the operation my device the cotton is thrown bythe forceof Vthesuction device 6 through the pipe 8 into a distributer. 4As the cottonleaves the pipe 8', it will strike the bars 74,' and following along thebars, will be directed by the curved ends 75 thereof vdownwardly intothe hampers. By

Y making the rods square the. space between the rodsis shaped so thatthe cotton will not p wedge therebetween. Furthermore, by tapering thisspace outwardly, the cotton, as it moves along the rods, will notbehaused to wedge between the -rods. Then again, by cutting away theinner face of the cross supporting bar 7 3, as at 7G, I avoid anyshoulder which would tend to stop the movement of the cotton. By thisimproved distrib` uter, the cotton is carricdalong the rods and`directed into a hamper without any wedgingof the cotton, which wouldtend to stop the delivery of the cotton fiber into the hamper.Furthermore, the sand and other small heavy particles will be thrownbetween the bars 7l and overthe edge of the hamper, so thatinydistributer not only carries the cotton and directs it to the f hamper,but separates the heavy particles of dust therefrom.

The brackets 2, 2, which support the wheels are preferably secured tothe main frame 1, so that said brackets may be adjusted laterally of theframe, and ,thereby the wheels 3, 3, spaced so as to pass betweenalternate rows of different widths, or so as to include between thewheels more than two rows if desired.

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and thearrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spiritof theinvention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus 'described my invention, what I claim is 1. A cotton pickerincluding in combination a flexible suction conveyer pipe, apiekernozzle connected to'the outer end of said pipe, an inflexiblesuction pipe, means for lconnecting said fiexible pipe to saidinflexible pipe, whereby said flexible pipe is free to turn about saidconnection in a vertical plane, means for pivotally supporting avertical plane, means for pivotally sup-,120

porting said inflexible pipe, whereby the same is free to move in avertical plane, a flexible shaft for operating the picker noz-yzle,"and" means carried by said connection between the pipes forsupporting said flexible shaft, andmeans connected to said in- `flexible,pipe for counter-balancing the weight of the flexible pipe and thefiexible shaft supported thereby. A

A cotton picker including 1n combma.- 130 tion a movable support, aplurality of flexible suction conveyer pipes, a picker nozzle connectedat the outer end of each pipe, an inflexible suction conveyer pipe foreach flexible pipe, means for connecting each flexible pipe to theinflexible pipe, whereby said flexible pipe is free te turn about saidconnection in a vertical plane, .means fOr supporting said inflexiblepipes `whereby each of said pipes may move independently of the othersin a vertical plane, and connected to each inflexible pipe for celui#ter-balancing the weight of the flexible pipe supported thereby.

,4. A cotton picker including in combination a movable support, aplurality of flexi ble suction conveyer pipes, a picker nozzle connectedto the outer end of each pipe, an inflexible suction conveyer pipe foreach flexible pipe, means for connecting each flexible pipe to theinflexible pipe, whereby said flexible pipe is free to turn about saidconnection in a4 vertical plane, a flexible shaft for operating eachpicker nozzle,

means for supporting said shaft from said connection between theflexible and inflexible pipes, and means connected to each inflexiblepipe for counter-balancing the weight of the flexible pipe and flexibleshaft supported thereby.

5. A cotton picker including1r in combination a movable support, aplurality of' inflexible suction pipes pivotally mounted on said supportand projecting outwardly therefrom in substantially the same direction,each of said inflexible pipes having a flexible connection with a commonsuction device, a flexible suction pipe connected tov the outer end ofeach inflexible pipe and supported thereby, a picker nozzle mounted oneach flexible suction pipe, a weight connected to the inner end of eachinflexible pipe, whereby said inflexible pipe is moved about its pivotalsupport for counterbalancing the outwardly projecting parts thereof, andthe flexible pipe supported thereby.

6. A cotton picker including in combina-- tion a movable support, aplurality of inflexible suction pipes pivotally mounted on said'support, and projecting outwardly therefrom in substantially the samedirection, flexible means for connecting each inflexible pipe with acommon suction device, a flexible pipe `connected with the outer end ofeach inflexible pipe and supported thereby, `a picker nozzle carried byeach flexible yfiction. pipe, a flexible shaft for operating Ziaidnozzle, said flexible shaft being supported by the outer end of theinflexible sup- ,'porting pipe, means for operating said flexible shaf lof each inflexible pipe; and a springr attached to each inflexib e pipeand coperatin with said weight lturn said inflexible a weight attachedto the inner' end pipe about its pivotal support, to counterbalance theoutwardly projecting parts thereof and the flexible pipe, and theflexible shaft supported thereby.

7. A cotton picker including in combination a movable support, aninflexible suction pipe pivotally supported thereby so as to swing in avertical plane, said pipe being so disposed as to project outwardly,longitudinally from said support, a flexible suc-- tion pipe, a pickernozzle carried by said flexible pipe, a coupling for connecting saidnflexible pipe to the outer end of said inflexible pipe, whereby saidflexible pipe may swing relative to the inflexible pipe so as tomaintain substantially a vertical position, and means connected to saidinflexible pipe for `moving the same about-itspivot to counter-balancethe outwardly projecting parte of the inflexible pipe and the flexiblepipe supported thereby.

A cotton picker including`in combination a movable support, aninflexible suction pipe pivotally supported thereby so as to swing in avertical plane, said pipe being so disposed as lto project outwardly,longitudinally suction pipe, a picker nozzle carried by Said flexiblepipe, a coupling for connecting said flexible pipe to the outer end ofsaid inflexible pipe, whereby said flexible pipe may swing relative tothe inflexible pipe soas to maintain substantially a vertical position,and means connected to said inflexible pipe for moving thesame about itspivot to counter-balance the outwardly projecting parts of theinflexible pipe and the flexible pipe supported thereby, said last namedmeans including a weight attached to the inner end of said inflexiblepipe.

9. A cotton picker including in combination a support, a plurality ofinflexible suction pipes, each of which is pivoted intermediate its endstosaid support, a flexible pipe for connecting each inflexible pipe to acommon suction device, a flexible suction pipe for each inflexible pipe,aA picker noz-' llO zie mounted on cach last named flexible suctionpipe, a coupling for connecting the flexihlc suction pipe for the nozzleto the outer end of the inflexible pipe, said coupling permitting theflexible suction pipe to maintain substantially a vertical position, aweigl'it attached to the inner end of each inflexible pipe, und aspring:r attached to each inflexible pipe and coperating with saidweight for counter-balancing the Weight of the inflexible pipe)rejecting beyond its pivot, and the flexibe suction pipe supportedthereby.l

10. A cotton picker including in combination a support, a plurality ofinflexible suction pipes, each ofwhich is pivoted intermediate its endsto said sup ort, a flexible pipe for connecting each in exible pipe to acommon suction device, a flexible suction pipe for cach inflexible pipe,a picker nozzle mounted on each last named flexible suc- "tion pipes, acoupling for connecting the lto cach inflexible pipe and cooperatingwith said weight for counter-balancing the weight of the inflexible pipeprojecting beyond its pivot, and the flexible suct-ion pipe supportedthereby, said weights being adjustabl)v attached to the pi pcs on whichthey are.carried, whereby the counter-balancing force may be 'variedll..A cotton picker including in combination a movable support, aninflexible suc- .tion pipe, pivoted between its ends to said support soas to project outwardly and upwardly therefrom, means for connecting theinner end ofv said suction pipe to a suction device, whereby said pipeis free to move about its support, a flexible suction pipe, a pickernozzle carried thereby, a coupling for connecting said flexible suctionpipe to the outer end of said inflexible pipe, whereby said flexiblesuction pipe is supported so that it may be maintained in substantiallya vertical position, a bracket carried vby the outer end of saidinflexible pipe, a `flexible shaft journaled in said bracket foroperating said picker nozzle, means connected to the inner end of saidinflexible pipe for swinging the same about its pivot'to counterbalancethe'parts thereof projecting beyond the pivotal support, and theflexible suction pipe and flexible shaft connected to and supported bythe outer end of said inflexible pipe.

l2. A cotton harvester including in combination a storage receptacle, asuction operated device for picking and delivering the cotton to saidreceptacle, and a distributer for distributing. the. cotton in thestorage receptacle, .aid distributer having a bottom and side walls, anda plurality of spaced rods forming the top of ythe distributer, saidrods extending lengthwise of the distributor and projecting beyond theend thereof,.the space between the rods increasing toward the outer endsthereof, the outer ends of said rods beingbent downwardly for deflectingthecotton into the receptacle.

13. A cotton harvester including in combination a storage receptacle, asuction op eratcd device for picking and delivering the cotton to saidreceptacle, and a distributer for distributing the cotton in the storagereceptacle, said distributer having a bottom and sidewalls, and aplurality of spaced rods being substantially straight and forming thetop of' the distributie', said rods extending lengthwise of thedistributor and projecting beyond the end thereof, the outer ends ofsaid rods being bent downwardly for deflccting the cotton into thereceptacle, said rods ,toward the free ends thereof being inclined,do\\`1r\vardly, .vhereby the air conveying the cotton into thedistributor will pass between the rods.

it.` cotton harvester device including in combination a storagereceptacle, a. suction operated dcvicefor picking and delivering thecotton to said receptacle, and a distributcr having a substantiallyclosed bottom and side walls, rods forming the top of said distributor,said rods being rectangular in cross section with their inner faces inthe same line, the space between the rods increasing toward the outerends thereof, the outer ends of said rods projecting beyond thedistributor and being bent downwardly for deflecting the cotton into thestorage receptacle.

l5. .l cot-ton harvester device including in combination a storagereceptacle, a suction operated device for picking and delivering thecotton to said receptacle, and a distributor having a substantiallyclosed bottoni and side walls, rods forming the top of said receptacle,said rods being rectangular in cross section with their inner faces inthe same line, the space between the rods increasing toward the outerends thereof,

the outer ends of said rods projecting beyond the distributer and beingbent downwardly for deflectin'g the cotton into the storage receptacle,said rods along the top of the distributer being inclined downwardly,whereby the air conveying the cotton to the distributor will passbetween the rods. v

Inv testimony whereofl` l affix my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

Tnnononn n. s'rn'nus.

lVitnesses F. G. Mxsox, Guion P. Bniznirrox.

